More than 2,400 state-of-the-art solar panels will be installed on the roof of Udinese's stadium by October, making the venue self-sufficient in energy. The facility is expected to become a benchmark in Europe for other clubs.

Udinese shows the way

Udinese's stadium will be powered by solar energy. The Pozzo family club and its partner Bluenergy Group have announced the start of work on a photovoltaic system on the roof of the club-owned stadium. More than 2,400 state-of-the-art solar panels will produce an average of around 3,000 kWh per day, making the facility partially self-sufficient in terms of energy. The facility, which was refurbished in 2013, is therefore set to become a benchmark in Europe for stadiums of the future in terms of design, multifunctionality, safety and environmental and economic sustainability.

The construction includes the installation of 2,409 solar panels with a total area of 4,615 square metres. The installation of the panels will be divided into two parallel sections arranged on the roof, and their placement will fit into the context of the stadium's architecture designed by Studio Casamonti. The project team is also considering the possibility of integrating a 330 kW battery park, which will be useful for providing extended charge and discharge cycles and increasing the potential of this installation through storage systems.

Udinese fans, who usually gather in large numbers in the stands, are also interested in the news at the stadium. However, the venue does not usually fill to the last seat, and this is influenced in part by the fact that many people prefer to choose online entertainment. To this end, they visit Italian online casinos to be navigated through all the available websites to find the one that suits them best.

© Udinese Calcio

New solutions, new name

Bluenergy Stadium (the energy company recently acquired the naming rights to the facility) is a candidate to be the leading sports facility for Italian football in the challenge to reduce CO2 emissions to zero. Together with Udinese Calcio, we can say that we are proud to be the promoters and implementers of an energy production system that is able to combine sustainability, energy efficiency and return on investment, - Alberta Gervasio, CEO of Bluenergy Group, explained.

Along with the many activities we carry out on a daily basis, being part of this project makes us an increasingly active part of sustainable local economic development. Today, sustainability is an important aspect in the lives of companies and individuals and is a tangible investment in terms of both quality of life and economic return in the territory.

© Udinese Calcio

A pioneering stadium - the showpiece of Udine

The stadium in this city is one of the most modern in Italy. It is impressive both inside and out. Plans for a major redevelopment of Stadio Friuli began to emerge in early 2000, when Italy submitted its bids to host the European Football Championship. The stadium was included in the 2012 and 2013 bids, but both were rejected by UEFA.

Just days after the second unsuccessful attempt, Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo signed an early agreement with the city of Udine, providing for a partnership in which the businessman himself would cover the costs of redevelopment in exchange for ownership of the stadium ground. The deal was finally confirmed in 2012, making the club lease the building for 99 years and becoming the third private entity in Italy to own a major stadium.

© Udinese Calcio